Indicator: 53 - Domestic Violence

Why This Is Important

Families are not safe when there exists the threat or presence of any form of domestic violence. Domestic violence is an insidious problem that tears apart families and exists among the silence of enabling friends, family members and communities. Domestic violence includes a wide range of behaviors where one individual controls another through verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological maltreatment.

Where We Stand

Law enforcement data shows that domestic violence assaults continue to be a significant problem in Maine. The total number of reported incidents dropped irregularly from 1995 to 1998, before rising again in following years. The rate of domestic assaults showed a similar pattern, dropping from 355 per 100,000 population in 1995 to 292 per 100,000 in 1999, then rising to 353 per 100,000 in 2000. In 2001, there were over 13 instances of such violence in households each day (one domestic assault every 1 hour and 46 minutes, on average). These figures likely understate the amount of domestic violence in the state, since they are based only on reports made to the police; some victims are reluctant to report such incidents.

Male assault on females continues to be the most common form of domestic violence in Maine, though its percentage of all domestic assault offenses dropped from 68% in 1995 to 60% in 2001.

Data Sources and Context

The domestic assault data is generated as part of the National Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This program is administered by the State Police in Maine, and all crime data from the UCR is published annually in Crime in Maine. The data is available on-line at http://www.maine.gov/dps/cim/crime_in_maine/cim.htm.